Russian athletes and teams were first barred from all tournaments by FIFA, UEFA, and the International Skating Union. Then, the International Paralympic Committee prevented Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in the upcoming Winter Paralympics. So, who is facing a ban this time? Little stunners, Russian cats, can no longer compete in international cat shows, according to the Fédération Internationale Féline.
FIFe website says nobody can import or register any cat bred in Russia in their pedigree book outside of Russia. Also, any cat owned by a Russian exhibitor is ineligible to compete in any FIFe show outside of Russia. It is regardless of where their registration took place. The limits will remain in effect until the end of May.
“The FIFe Executive Board is shocked and horrified that the army of the Russian Federation invaded the Republic of Ukraine and started a war,” the statement read. “Many innocent people died, many more are wounded and hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are forced to flee their homes to save their lives. We can all witness the destruction and chaos caused by this unprecedented act of aggression.
“The Board of FIFe feels it cannot just witness these atrocities and do nothing,” the group added.
United Nations of Cat Federations
The “United Nations of Cat Federations” is an international organization consisting of 40 countries. They put on cat shows around the world regularly. According to its website, the organization puts on over 700 performances a year, with over 200,000 cats participating.
Many of the group’s cat fans are “desperately” seeking to care for their cats and other animals as Russian forces continue to invade Ukraine, according to the statement. Members of the group’s clubs in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Moldova are “lending a helping hand to their Ukrainian breeder friends.”
FIFe’s board of directors said that a portion of its budget will go to Ukrainian cat breeders and owners to assist those affected by the invasion.
“We hope for the sake of our Ukrainian friends that this terrible situation will not last a lot longer and we wish them a lot of courage and good fortune!” the statement reads.
FIFe’s decision is one of many recent bans, sanctions, and boycotts imposed on Russia in response to the Ukrainian invasion. Apple’s decision to limit product sales in the country and Toyota’s suspension of vehicle imports are also among the other.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service estimates that 2,000 civilians have died since the invasion began last week.
